Announcing High Concept Labs’ Spring 2016 Sponsored Artists

High Concept Labs (HCL) today announces the Spring 2016 lineup of its flagship Sponsored Artist Program. Eleven artists and collaboratives will develop, rehearse, and present new work for Chicago audiences this season. In conjunction with rehearsal and performance space, HCL provides Sponsored Artists with administrative, marketing, production, and development assistance. 2016 marks the sixth year of the Sponsored Artist Program.

For two seasons each year, artists are selected by HCL’s staff and Artistic Advisory Council to incubate, workshop, perform, or exhibit new work. “The sixth anniversary Spring Season reflects the heritage of High Concept Labs,” says HCL Executive Director, Steven Wang. “Audiences will have the opportunity to experience and engage with unique and interesting art in an environment of experimentation and discovery.”

This season’s Sponsored Artists are a diverse group of emerging and established artists working across a range of disciplines, from film and theater to music and photography. As part of their Sponsorship, artists will participate in Artist Critiques, and present Works-In-Progress showings, Workshops, and other public offerings for Chicago audiences.

2016 marks the sixth year of the Sponsored Artist Program, which has supported more than 220 artists and collectives with over 22,000 hours of donated space and professional support, resulting in a total economic impact exceeding $400,000.

Additional information on our Sponsored Artists, including dates and times of public programs, will be forthcoming.

About High Concept Labs: High Concept Labs is a Chicago-born not-for-profit arts service organization and cultural platform dedicated to supporting working artists and engaging the Chicago community with arts and culture. Partnering with artists at every step of the creative process, HCL offers high-quality custom support services through its Sponsored Artist and Institutional Incubation Programs. HCL also curates and hosts Cultural Conversations, hosts artist showcases, presents special community events, and facilitates educational arts partnerships. With a vibrant cycle of programs, and process-support, High Concept Labs grows community alongside culture and fosters new audiences for the arts. highconceptlabs.org

HCL is supported in part by the generosity of Mana Contemporary Chicago, The Chicago Community Trust, MacArthur Funds for Arts and Culture at The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, the Norwottock Charitable Trust, the Samuel J. Baskin Charitable Trust, the Cliff Dwellers Arts Foundation, and individual donors.